Fava Beans or Broad Beans. What Tuscans call “baccelli” and Brits call “broad beans” go by “fava beans” in the US or “fave” in much of Italy. Throughout Tuscany these big, broad, bright green pods are a sign of Spring, and consuming them raw is a an annual rite. They read more
This is definitely one of the few cases of English language influencing Italian; and even more improbably, Italians following the lead of English cooking. But the famous Florentine “bistecca” derives from the British who took to ordering “beefsteak” so often, the Italians adopted their own variation of the word, as read more
Alba and the surrounding regions of Piemonte have the most famous (and most expensive!) white truffles, considered to be the best in the world, but San Miniato and the surrounding hills and woods produce white truffles that don’t disappoint. Truffles pack a powerful aroma, they are more fragrant than flavorful, read more
Pasta with Wild Boar. Tuscany eats more bread than pasta. Two of their signature primi aren’t pasta but bread enriched “soups,” ribollita and pappa al pomodoro, but put those aside and there are regional pastas well worth seeking out – the first to look for, pappardelle con cinghiale featuring the read more
An all encompassing name for all sorts of fried foods, but most often referring to sweet fritters which, at least in the region surrounding Florence have two main types: yeast and flour based fritelle, similar to a light beignet, and rice fritelle. Both versions are enjoyed typically in the pre-Lenten read more